Between 1847 and 1854 more than one million people left this European country and emigrated to the United States and elsewhere. What nationality were these people, and what natural event caused their mass emigration?

Between 1847 and 1854, a staggering number of people, more than one million, embarked on a desperate journey from their homeland, seeking a new life primarily in the United States and other countries. These individuals were Irish, driven by one of the most devastating natural catastrophes in European history: the Great Potato Famine. Prior to this period, a significant portion of the Irish population, particularly the rural poor, relied almost entirely on the potato as their main source of food.

The calamity began in 1845 when a virulent plant disease, known as potato blight, ravaged the potato crops. This blight, caused by the fungus Phytophthora infestans, led to widespread crop failures for several successive years. With their primary food source destroyed, millions faced starvation and disease. It's estimated that around one million people perished during the famine, and a similar number were forced to emigrate in search of survival and opportunity.

The mass exodus fundamentally reshaped Ireland's demographic landscape, leading to a significant population decline that continued for decades. Many of those who left endured harsh conditions on overcrowded "coffin ships" during their passage across the Atlantic, with countless lives lost at sea. The legacy of the Great Famine not only left an indelible mark on Irish identity and culture but also established a large and influential Irish diaspora across the globe, particularly in North America.